2017 runner-up Aryna Sabalenka began her journey towards another berth in the final at the Tianjin Open, and a slim chance to qualify for Singapore, with a three-set first round victory over American Sofia Kenin.

Top-ranked Chinese player Wang Qiang reached her second semifinal in her home country in the last two weeks, as she stopped the eight-match winning streak of Wuhan champion Aryna Sabalenka in the China Open quarterfinals.